The Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) and the Solid Waste Association of North America Land of Lakes Chapter are hosting their annual Conference & Show April 25 & 26 at the Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, MN.
The RAM/SWANA Conference & Show continues to be the premier recycling and waste management conference in the Upper Midwest.
RAM/SWANA Conference topics include Hazardous Waste, Recycling, Solid Waste, Food Waste Diversion, and Sustainability. Continuing Education Credits are available, and there always are numerous networking opportunities. Several SCS Engineers professionals are attending the conference – we hope to see you there!
MDE Regulatory Alert: Maryland Landfill Air Regulation
On December 30, 2022, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) published a proposed regulation addressing the control of landfill gas (LFG) methane emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills in the state. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) with a global warming potential of more than 25 times greater than carbon dioxide. The proposed regulation is modeled after similar rules in California and Oregon, incorporates provisions from the EPA’s federal landfill air regulations under NSPS & EG 40 CFR 60 Subparts Cf and XXX and NESHAP CFR 63 Subpart AAAA, and would become among the most stringent in the US.
The new regulation will be submitted to the EPA for approval as part of Maryland’s state plan for MSW landfills (state plan). The state plan will be equivalent to or more stringent than the EPA’s NSPS & EG 40 CFR 60 Subparts Cf and XXX and NESHAP CFR 63 Subpart AAAA, and will apply to smaller and mid-sized landfills not currently subject to the EPA’s federal rules.
MDE estimates that 32 active and closed MSW landfills in the state will be subject to the proposed regulation.
Some key provisions of the rule include:
This rulemaking has been several years in development and is consistent with Maryland’s GHG Reduction Act of 2009 and the recent Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 that requires Maryland to become “net zero” for GHG emissions by 2045, with an interim goal of achieving 60% GHG reductions by 2031 (over 2006 levels). MDE estimates that once implemented, this rule will achieve a 25-50% reduction in GHG emissions from affected landfills. MDE estimates the capital costs associated with rule compliance would range from $1 to $3 million, annual operating and maintenance costs range from $150k to $400k, and additional costs for monitoring (~ $60k annually), recordkeeping, and reporting.
MDE has scheduled a virtual public hearing on the proposed action at 10:00 am on February 1, 2023. Comments can be submitted by 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on February 1, 2023, to Mr. Randy Mosier of MDE at .
For additional information on MSW regulations and GHG emission reductions, please visit scsengineers.com or one of SCS’s nationwide offices.
Speak with SCS Engineers environmental and solid waste professionals at the 2023 SWANA FL Winter Conference, February 20-22, at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. SCS Engineers is a sponsor of this event.
The conference will explore “Imagine More: The Brightest Ideas in Solid Waste” and will feature industry thought leaders and the brightest minds in the solid waste industry, all in the beautiful setting of the Disney Springs area. Continuing education hours will be available.
The program will provide an interesting and educational agenda of sessions and speakers discussing the latest developments in the solid waste industry and a great way for industry suppliers and service providers to showcase their products and services.
This multi-day conference will include general sessions on best practices in the solid waste management profession, networking events and more. The conference is attended by local, state and municipal government solid waste directors, managers, regulators, operators and coordinators, in addition to private sector consulting engineers and suppliers of materials and equipment used in the management of solid waste.
Click for Program and Registration Information
Be part of the community of change by participating in GreenBiz23 conference and expo, February 14-16, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Today’s sustainability professional is under pressure to do more, and do it faster, than ever before. What will it take to address the complex issues on your plate at the scale, scope and speed required? GreenBiz 23, the premier gathering of 1,800 sustainable business leaders, will deliver the insight and inspiration you need to accelerate change.
Join the dynamic GreenBiz 23 community to harness the knowledge of experts, peers and new voices to help you achieve net zero, advance the circular economy, elevate social justice, safeguard biodiversity, build resilient supply chains and more. You’ll gain access to inspiring keynotes, engaging breakout sessions and valuable networking that will help you address these complex issues.
The conference features tracks on:
The expo will feature more than 50 organizations paving the way for sustainable business. Learn about the technologies, programs and practices that these companies are employing while forming valuable connections with members of the dynamic GreenBiz community.
To Learn More and for Registration Info
Compounded by rising labor and regulatory costs, landfill operations challenges for owners and operators are liquids and greenhouse gases. Gas collection and control systems, leachate management strategies, and treatment technologies all help create efficiencies. But so does new technology.
In our two-part educational series, we use case studies to demonstrate combinations of integrated SCADA, IIoT, drones, satellites, and Geographical information systems (GIS) technologies. Using clear, straightforward language, our panelists explain which technology is best for what and when integrating these technologies better serves your landfill’s and composting operation’s challenges and budget.
Recorded in front of a live audience who send questions to our panelists specific to their operational needs we cover monitoring, liquids, and labor challenges – with an aim to introduce new technologies that solve some of your most expensive challenges. SCS’s forums are educational, non-commercial webinars with a Q&A forum throughout; they are free and open to all who want to learn more about landfill and composting technology. We recommend these discussions for landfill and organics management facility owners/operators, technicians, environmental engineers, municipalities, and environmental agency staff.
View Part I focused on drones, satellites, and GIS technologies which are valuable for landfill permitting, design, and monitoring liquids and gas well conditions.
View Part II focused on SCADA and remote monitoring & control systems – when and why using real-time data can create efficiencies and reduce risk at your landfill and are useful for compost operations, and anaerobic digestors.
If you would like to join our mailing list for these monthly forums, please contact us at – SCS never shares or sells your contact information.
Meet SCS Engineers professionals at BOOTH 619 at the Wisconsin Safety Council’s 2023 Annual Conference April 17-19 at the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells.
This is Wisconsin’s premier event highlighting health, safety, and human resource best practices challenges and solutions. The conference features over 50 educational sessions, 200 exhibitors, and 6 pre-conference professional development courses. CEUs will be available. In its 81st year, the conference provides a unique opportunity for professionals to share resources and experiences with colleagues, and to discuss views and concerns with a wide range of stakeholders. You will hear from top-notch speakers and attend sessions with the latest safety information.
Featured Speaker Travis Mills, Retired United States Army Staff Sergeant of the 82nd Airborne, will make you laugh, cry, laugh some more, and stand up and cheer as he shares his astonishing story of survival and unending service. One of only five quadruple amputees from the war in Iraq/Afghanistan, Travis is the NY Times Best-Selling Author of ‘Tough As They Come’ and one of the most critically acclaimed inspirational speakers in the world. A master of the one-liner, Travis’s infectious humor illuminates this remarkable story of resilience and overcoming adversity.
Keynote Speaker Glen Tellock, Retired President & CEO, Lakeside Foods & Manitowoc Company, will provide “A CEO’s Perspective: Building Successful Teams & Instilling a Culture of Safety”. Glen spent three decades in leadership positions with a leading food processor and a manufacturer of construction equipment, and he knows that a strong culture of safety must come from the top. In a fireside chat, Glen will discuss his years as CEO, the challenges he faced, and how he overcame them. Glen will also address the need executives to lead by example when developing a world-class culture of safety.
Click for conference details and registration information. We hope to see you there!
Meet SCS Professional Christine Collier at the Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operations’ (ISOSWO) Spring Conference, March 30-31 at Townplace Suites by Marriott, in Ames, Iowa. SCS Engineers is a platinum sponsor of the conference.
The conference will provide education tracks, plenty of networking opportunities, including young professionals events, fun outings, and more! Continuing Education Credits will be available.
Click for details and registration information.
SCS Engineers Vice President, Betsy Powers, is one of the industry leaders who will teach at the University of Wisconsin’s Solid Waste Landfill Design Short Course, March 27-30, at UW campus in Madison.
Learn about the critical factors of solid waste landfill design, operations, evolving industry issues, and economics. Learn from expert and diverse course faculty (top-flight researchers, owners at the cutting edge of evolving practice, industry experts). Get a firm grasp of the background and design specifics to compete in this industry, including industry-leading information on the principles and practices of solid waste landfill development, design, construction, operations, and management. Understand practical emerging technologies including:
This course will guide you through the development process of a successful solid waste landfill, from cradle to grave. Industry experts will share critical factors and insights. Interactive discussion and idea exchange will be emphasized. It is intended for the gamut of industry professionals from civil engineers and landfill designers to landfill owners and operators, as well as local, county, and state regulatory agencies; public works professionals; facility managers; contractors and estimators; geosynthetic manufacturers and reps; planners; and everyone in between.
Qualifies for CEU and PDH credits.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a proposed rulemaking (Federal Register, Vol. 87, No. 198, Friday, October 14, 2022) that would address a 2008 Fugitive Emissions Rule that was subsequently granted reconsideration based upon a petition from the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The key issue is how fugitive emissions are considered under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA), as related to the definition of modification.
Modification means any physical change in, or change in the method of operation of, a stationary source which increases the amount of any air pollutant emitted by such source or which results in the emission of any air pollutant not previously emitted. 42 U.S. Code § 7411(a)(4).
In 2008, the Bush EPA published its Fugitive Emissions Rule that sought to “reconsider” the inclusion of fugitive emissions under this language. Fugitive emissions are defined as:
Those emissions which could not reasonably pass through a stack, chimney, vent, or other functionally-equivalent opening.
NRDC’s petition for reconsideration argued that the Bush EPA weakened the standard for determining major modifications by excluding fugitive emissions from major Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and non-attainment New Source Review (NSR) applicability.
The proposed rulemaking would result in a formal reversion to the pre-2008 language. EPA’s Director for its Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards (OAQPS) has indicated that the rule “would require fugitives to be counted in all new and modified major source determinations,” effectively ending the Bush-era limitations on counting of fugitive emissions.
The potential impact of EPA’s planned fugitive emissions rule may prove significant and is expected to affect a wide range of diverse industry sectors being impacted, such as power generation, oil & gas extraction, mining, paper mills, petroleum refining, chemical manufacturing, coatings operations, and solid waste facilities. In particular, both landfills and compost facilities can have significant fugitive emissions.
Based on our current understanding, the proposed rule will effectively eliminate the ability to exempt fugitive emissions under the current exemption in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 52.21(i)(vii). This would mean that if a source is an existing major PSD or non-attainment NSR source for ANY pollutant, and modifies, then both non-fugitive AND fugitive emissions for ALL pollutants must be counted to see if the project is a major modification under PSD/NSR. Triggering a major modification would also mean that fugitive emissions are included in the various compliance elements of PSD or NSR (e.g., best available control technology [BACT], lowest achievable emission rate [LAER], modeling, offsets. etc.).
To add more context for landfills, as an example, if an existing landfill, which is already deemed major due to carbon monoxide (CO) or sulfur dioxide (SOx) emissions from flares (Potential to Emit [PTE] >250 tons per year [tpy]), conducts an expansion that will result in 15 tpy of new particulate matter less than 10 microns(PM10) [and/or 10 tpy of PM2.5] fugitive emissions from windblown dust, this would be a major modification under PSD, requiring BACT and modeling for fugitive PM. This could also include BACT and other requirements for fugitive methane as a regulated greenhouse gas (GHG) or volatile organic compounds (VOCs)/non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs) from the additional fugitive landfill gas (LFG) emitted from the expanded landfill. Compost facilities can also have significant VOC emissions, which could put them at risk from this rule change.
Public comment on the rulemaking ends on February 14, 2023, which is an extension of the previous deadline. The solid waste industry will provide comments through the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and the National Waste and Recycling Association (NW&RA). This will be the last chance to have any effect on the rulemaking. Otherwise, landfills and possibly compost facilities could face more stringent requirements under the PSD and NSR programs when it comes to fugitive emissions.
Landfill and compost facility owners and operators may direct their questions pertaining to specific facilities to their Project Managers or .
Executing Brownfield Redevelopment
Green spaces are dwindling rapidly as real estate development forges ahead; meanwhile, a plentiful inventory of brownfields lie idle or underused that have great potential to become vibrant, revenue-generating resources.
Well-executed brownfield redevelopment projects make the most of existing infrastructure, leaving green spaces green. They create jobs and increase property values. They improve the health and safety of the environment and people. And turning former liabilities into neighborhood jewels cultivates a spirit of goodwill among residents.
As developers and governments realize the benefits, old gas stations, defunct factories, and closed landfills are among the properties redeveloped into community parks, retail, industrial, or mixed-use properties to become productive assets.
But while communities and private investors can reap tremendous payoffs, successfully repurposing brownfields can be complicated. They may be laden with hazardous substances and other contaminants from past uses, calling for specialized technical expertise to ensure sustainable environmental and financial outcomes.
Meet Amy Guilfoyle
SCS Engineers’ Amy Guilfoyle has been deeply rooted in brownfield redevelopment work for 20 years, supporting plans to ensure projects are technically sound, on time, and on budget.
Groundwater and soil assessment and remediation are her primary focus. Her job involves more than these essential tasks—from helping local governments apply for U.S. EPA Brownfield assessment and cleanup grants and voluntary cleanup state tax credits to ensuring and documenting regulatory compliance.
When Amy was a new biology graduate, she was not sure exactly what career direction she would choose until she got a full taste of fieldwork with an environmental focus.
“I like working on practical solutions to our clients’ day-to-day problems. And I like the creativity involved in finding and developing the best options in each case. Every scenario is unique, challenging you to keep the wheels in your mind turning,” she says.
Guilfoyle’s work typically begins with a Phase I Environmental Assessment, entailing an inspection of the property and a review of documents to evaluate for potentially hazardous pollutants and contamination. She will move on to a Phase II Environmental Assessment, depending on her findings, collecting and analyzing soil and groundwater samples to determine concentrations, locations, and other details to inform what may become her next course. The results help lead her team in developing and executing a rigorous cleanup strategy to meet regulatory standards.
The practiced brownfields veteran has her work cut out for her, especially on her dedicated turf; the state of Florida, whose groundwater and soil quality standards are even more rigorous than the U.S. EPA’s. Guilfoyle must not only stay on top of stringent regulatory demands but know how to strategically approach complex challenges tied to the region’s unique physical conditions.
“For one, as we monitor and plan remediation, we consider soil characteristics. Like much of the Southeast part of the country, Florida is sandy, making it easier for contaminated water and materials to move through the ground than in rocky areas,” she explains.
“Additionally, we give careful thought to the fact that the water table is shallow, which means saturated soil is close to the land surface, increasing the risk for groundwater contamination.”
Protecting groundwater is the most meaningful work she can do in her eyes.
“Keeping groundwater clean is so important to our public health and safety, as it is the major source of drinking water,” Guilfoyle says.
Sizing up cleanup options
In determining the best method to tackle soil and water impacts, she considers multiple variables: regional standards, the proposed use of the property, and clients’ overall goals.
Every success story hinges on protecting human health and the environment while keeping an eye on the bottom line—economics.
“Our clients are taking on huge projects that can have substantial cleanup costs. Our priority is to develop solutions that limit their out-of-pocket costs and liability. But doing it more effectively, so the outcome is a rich resource that serves communities well into the future,” Guilfoyle says.
A solid understanding of regulations is key to delivering sound technical and financially feasible outcomes.
She exemplifies this, beginning with a recent approach involving removing contaminated soil and using the nonimpacted soil as part of a pond construction to expand stormwater holding capacity.
“In this scenario, you save on the cost to transport hundreds of tons of soil and put it to use to build out existing infrastructure. Also, fewer trucks are coming in and out of the site, mitigating a nuisance and greenhouse gases.
“In other scenarios, we have been able to negotiate cleanup levels above the standard by providing documentation to show they are sufficient for full compliance.”
Forging industry relationships through professional engagements
Guilfoyle knows the agencies well through her work at SCS and professional engagements beyond.
Among her involvement, she’s a board member of the Florida Brownfields Association (FBA), supporting educational and outreach efforts and legislative initiatives to secure funding for cleanup projects.
She serves on the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (FAEP) board, reporting business activity to local chapter members.
She lends her expertise as a board member for Metropolitan Environmental Training Alliance (METRA), promoting free and low-cost training on hazardous waste management requirements and other environmental regulations.
Outside her leadership roles in industry organizations, she finds time for her passion—telling others about the environmental industry. She has been involved with teaching Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts at Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) events and introducing college students to job opportunities in these disciplines.
“It’s important to provide a real role model in science and introduce youth to the wide range of job opportunities. We need more sharp young minds. And we especially need more women in environmental sciences,” Guilfoyle says.
“We have done good work. But we have more ahead of us. We will continue making progress by increasing youths’ awareness of what we do and why we do it–and by educating and supporting industry organizations.”
Brownfield Redevelopment Resources, Funding, Careers:
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